A Desire for Dramaticism

Semiotics of the 1980s Goth Subculture, An Illustrated Lecture with Andi Harriman

Gowanus

A Desire for Dramaticism: Semiotics of the 1980s Goth Subculture, An Illustrated Lecture with Andi Harriman

Date: Monday, December 14th
Time: 8pm
Admission: $12
Location: Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424 Third Avenue, 11215 Brooklyn
***Limited quantity of "Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace: A Worldwide Compendium of Postpunk and Goth in the 1980s" will be on sale at the event

Through art and fashion, certain cues were constructed and designed to communicate the goth subculture to the public eye based on visuals alone. These cues, or semiotics, were essential factors in the 1980s goth community -- a bricolage of dark elements that created powerful symbols and indicators of the movement. Goth's steadfast dedication to macabre and gloomy aesthetics proved to be a profound devotion of its members, reflecting in their makeup, clothing, accessories, and artwork such as album covers or flyers. This discussion will be a visual journey through the beginnings of goth up to the early 1990s, a dramatic assemblage of the beautiful and the grotesque.

Andi Harriman is a 1980s music anthropologist as she writes, researches and documents this specific decade in history. Harriman currently holds a BFA in Material Studies and Creative Writing from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MFA in Jewelry + Objects from Savannah College of Art and Design. She is the author of Some Wear Leather, Some Wear Lace: A Worldwide Compendium of Postpunk and Goth in the 1980s that has gained national and international recognition since its release in 2014. Currently, Harriman is working with controversial photographer Fred Berger on adapting the iconic and influential goth magazine, Propaganda, into a book. In addition, she is a contributing editor to Post-punk.com, a radio host, a prolific DJ and runs a monthly event in Brooklyn called Synthicide.